Kim Min Hee’s acceptance speech at the Locarno Film Festival has sparked unexpected attention after she thanked a “colleague” named Sumi, whom she said was with her baby.
Kim won Best Performance at the 79th Locarno Film Festival on August 15th for her role in Hong Sang Soo’s Nowhere to Lay My Eyes.
Accepting the award, Kim thanked Hong, saying, “I’m so grateful to the director for making such a beautiful, poetic film.”
She then added, “And to my other colleague, Sumi, thank you so much. She’s with the baby right now.” Kim also said she was happy to share the news with her friends in Jeju and concluded, “From now on, I want to act with nothing but genuine love in my heart.”
Her reference to Sumi quickly sparked curiosity online, particularly because Kim described her as a “colleague” while saying she was currently with her child.
Some users subsequently resurfaced a 2024 hiring notice from Jeonwonsa Film, Hong’s production company. The company had been looking for a full-time female employee whose responsibilities ranged from checking emails, handling video files and subtitles to driving and assisting with lighting, sound and other production work on set.
That prompted speculation that Sumi could be an employee of the company, with some commenters asking, “Is taking care of the baby part of the job too?”
However, there is no confirmation that Sumi was hired through the posting, currently works for Jeonwonsa Film or was caring for Kim’s child as part of any professional role. She may simply be a friend or acquaintance.
The speculation also revived past comments from director Kim Cho Hui, who previously worked as a production manager for Hong’s company before directing Lucky Chan-sil.
Kim Cho Hui has said she handled a wide range of responsibilities, including production, investment, distribution and publicity, and initially worked without a separate salary before her monthly pay gradually increased to $1,400.
She also recalled facing considerable pressure after Hong and Kim Min Hee’s affair became public, as she was left responding to inquiries from the media and film industry. She eventually resigned and later returned to Korea to begin her career as a director.
Her experience has now been brought up again amid the discussion surrounding “colleague Sumi,” though Sumi’s identity and any connection to Hong’s company remain unconfirmed.
Hong and Kim publicly acknowledged their relationship in 2017 and were reported to have welcomed a son last year. Hong remains legally married to the woman he wed in 1985.
>> Kim Min Hee Opens Up About Balancing Motherhood and Filming After Giving Birth
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